Gainesville accident attorney urges Florida to take a stronger stand on Teen "GDL"

While Florida is home to one of the nation's first Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) programs, founded in 1996, teen driving laws in Florida could be stronger.

As a Gainesville accident attorney, I have seen numerous teen auto accidents end in death, disfigurement, and lifelong disability.  As the age group with the highest crash rate, I support adoption of stronger GDL laws to keep Florida teens and motorists safe. 

Current Florida law requires teens complete the following 3-step GDL program:

1.  Take Driver's Education.

2.  Apply for a Learner's License. A Learner's Permit only allows daylight driving with a 21-year old or older passenger in the front seat.  However, a learner may operate a vehicle until 10pm with a 21-year-old supervisor present, upon driving three months without issue. A learner must drive at least 50 hours, including 10 at night, during the 12 month restricted period.

3.  Apply for an Operator's License. After obtaining an Operator's License, driving hours increase with age.  At 16, you may drive between 6 am and 11 pm, and at 17, you may drive from 5 am and 1 am.  At any other time, you must take a 21-year-old (or older) licensed driver with you in the front seat, or be heading to or from your employment until18-years old.

Absent from Florida's GDL, is a restriction on the number of teen-aged passengers who may accompany a new driver.  According to recent data, having an additional male teen passenger nearly doubles the already high teen crash rate for 16 and 17-year-old drivers.

While a teenaged driver does not have unrestricted nighttime driving until 18, night driving is permitted beginning at age 16.  Statistics from 2008 show that about half of teens that died in crashes, crashed between 3pm and midnight.
 

Plus, Florida fails to restrict driver's use of cell phone and texting-a major threat to public safety at large.  Distracted driving kills about 2,600 people each year.

For more information:

Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Florida

New Ally in Teen Driving Safety-Teens Themselves
 

What can I do to help my teen be a safer driver? Gainesville accident lawyer gives tips.